Tethers and harnesses definitely reduce the risk of man overboard situations. Having a PLB or AIS personal crew overboard beacon is equally good at helping find someone in the water and their lifejacket will help them stay afloat as rescuers come to their aid.

But how to get the person on board your boat? Ultimately, that is the crew’s problem and practice makes sure the system is proven to work and people know what to do.

Whose responsibility is it to practice man overboard drills?

The skipper’s. Special Regulation 6.01.3 sets out that, for all race categories, it is recommended that crews should practise safety routines annually including the drill for crew overboard recovery and abandonment of vessel. The skipper is responsible for making sure the equipment on board is fit for purpose and works, and most importantly crew know how to use it.

How can a crew make this as authentic as possible?

Use a (willing) volunteer or use a life-sized and weighted mannequin. There is nothing so testing as having to do this for real and the superior option is for someone to volunteer to don a lifejacket and get in the water. Some clubs already own life-sized and weighted mannequins for this exact purpose, practicing man overboard drills, and speaking with your club is worth doing.

The ORCV has a resource on man overboard here.

Advice given to race committees on retrieving a person is here.

By Glen Stanaway